LAWMAKER WARD APPROVES GAS TAX HIKE

First term Brainerd lawmaker John Ward joined 84 other Democrats and 6 Republicans last week to override Governor Pawlenty's veto of the Transportation Finance Bill. Ward said he doesn't know if there will be a political price to pay in November and that "will be up to the voters." Ward said the "user fee for gas hasn't been updated in 20 years and our roads are crumbling and our bridges are falling." Ward said the bill to him was a bill about economic growth, public safety, and an investment that needed to happen. Ward said he's listening to his constituents and doing what he thinks is right for District 12A and the state of Minnesota.